Name: Traditional Gingerbread Cake
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: PT-491564H10M36S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves; ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature; ½ cup light brown sugar; 2 large eggs; Zest of 1 lemon; ½ cup unsulphured molasses; 1 cup milk; 1 pint whipping cream; 1 whole pomegranate; 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (optional)

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The air is filled with a warm, spicy fragrance as the oven works its magic, turning a humble batter into a beautiful Traditional Gingerbread Cake. Picture the rich brown hues, the cozy aroma of cinnamon, ginger, and molasses wafting through your kitchen. Each bite promises layers of flavor and a moist, tender crumb that melts in your mouth. It’s the perfect holiday centerpiece, inviting friends and family to gather around the table and enjoy a slice of comfort.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Traditional Gingerbread Cake
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Traditional Gingerbread Cake

Growing up, my grandmother made the most delightful gingerbread cake every Christmas. The soft texture and the heavenly combination of spices would make our holidays feel extra special. Now, I can’t help but share this recipe with you, hoping it will create memories that last a lifetime. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas or just want a comforting treat, you’ll find joy in making this delicious cake. Get ready to impress everyone with this easy-to-follow recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With just 5 minutes of prep and an hour and a half of baking time, you can have this gorgeous cake ready in no time.
Irresistible Flavor: The deep, spiced flavors of molasses, ginger, and cinnamon make this a truly unforgettable dessert.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Topped with freshly whipped cream and brilliant pomegranate seeds, it’s as beautiful to look at as it is to eat!
Flexible Serving: This cake is perfect for festive occasions, cozy family gatherings, or even as a delightful holiday breakfast treat.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adapt this recipe for gluten-free or dairy-free diets with the right substitutes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 cups all-purpose flour: For the perfect cake structure, use a good quality flour. You can substitute it with gluten-free flour if needed.
1 teaspoon baking soda: This helps the cake rise and gives it a light, fluffy texture.
¼ teaspoon salt: Just a pinch enhances the cake’s flavors.
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon: This warm spice is essential for that classic gingerbread flavor.
1 teaspoon ground ginger: Adds distinct warmth and a spiced zing.
⅛ teaspoon ground cloves: These contribute depth to the gingerbread taste. If you don’t have cloves, use more cinnamon.
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature: Creaming this with sugar creates a rich flavor and tender crumb.
½ cup light brown sugar: This sugar adds sweetness and moisture while also enhancing the cake’s flavor.
2 large eggs: They help bind all the ingredients together for a delightful texture.
Zest of 1 lemon: Adds brightness to balance the deep flavors.
½ cup unsulphured molasses: Choose quality molasses for a robust flavor. Spraying your measuring cup with cooking spray will help it pour out easily.
1 cup milk: For moisture, you can substitute with a non-dairy option if preferred.
1 pint whipping cream: Freshly whipped cream is a delicious topping that lightens everything up.
1 whole pomegranate: The jewels of pomegranate seeds add a pop of color and a tart contrast to the rich cake.
1 tablespoon powdered sugar (optional): For a touch of sweetness and visual appeal on top.

How to Make Traditional Gingerbread Cake

Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350º F while you prepare your cake pan. Grease a 9″ round or square cake pan with butter, then dust it with flour. This helps the cake release perfectly after baking, ensuring a beautiful presentation.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. This step is crucial in ensuring that your spices and leavening agent are evenly distributed throughout the flour for consistent flavor and an even rise.

Cream Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the softened butter and brown sugar. Beat on medium speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the batter, giving your cake its desired lightness. Add the eggs one by one, mixing well after each addition, along with the lemon zest and molasses until everything is well combined.

Mix in Dry Ingredients and Milk: Gently add half the dry mixture to the butter mixture, followed by the milk. After blending those until smooth, mix in the remaining dry ingredients. Take care not to overmix; you just want everything to come together for a perfect cake structure.

Bake Until Golden: Pour your batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35-45 minutes, checking at the 35-minute mark. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean, with the edges slightly pulling away from the pan. The aroma should fill your kitchen, hinting at the delightful treat to come!

Cool and Serve: After baking, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. When prepared to serve, use a fine sieve to dust the top with powdered sugar if desired, then top each slice with a lovely dollop of whipped cream and scatter pomegranate seeds over the top for a festive flourish.

Storing & Reheating

To store your Traditional Gingerbread Cake, wrap it in plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature for up to three days. If you’d like to store it longer, place the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze individual slices for up to three months; just make sure they are well-wrapped to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply reheat slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. The flavors will remain rich, but the cake may dry out slightly, so serving it warm with whipped cream is the best way to refresh its charm!

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoiding Overmixing: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until you see no more dry flour. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your eggs and butter are at room temperature for a smoother batter.
Cooling Time: Let the cake cool completely before frosting to avoid melting your whipped cream.
Flavor Boost: For an extra flavor kick, consider adding a splash of vanilla extract to your batter.
Make-Ahead Option: This cake can be made a day in advance and will taste even better as the flavors meld overnight.

The flavors of brown sugar and molasses, mingling with spices, will dance on your taste buds, making every bite a delightful experience. Feel free to play with the toppings or add a drizzle of caramel sauce to give it a personal touch. Baking this Traditional Gingerbread Cake will not just enhance your holiday season, but also create memories around the table with loved ones. Enjoy each slice and the joy it brings!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Absolutely! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a good quality gluten-free flour blend. Just be sure to check that your baking soda and other ingredients are certified gluten-free as well.

What can I use instead of molasses?

If you don’t have molasses on hand, you can use dark corn syrup or honey as a substitute. However, the flavor may differ slightly. For a deeper flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of brown sugar to the substitute.

Can I store the cake in the refrigerator?

Yes, you can store the cake in the refrigerator. Just ensure it’s covered well to keep it moist. It should stay fresh for about a week.

How do I know when my cake is done baking?

A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean when the cake is done. Also, look for edges that are slightly pulling away from the sides of the pan, and a delightful, fragrant aroma filling your kitchen will be a good indicator, too!